For the Greater Glory of God!

​Summer is always a fun and full time of year for the Sisters, but this summer was particularly joy-filled. A few weeks after school let out, a number of the Sisters went to Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Fort Bragg for Magnificat Days. We spent several days of catechesis, prayer, and fun with students from kindergarten to eighth grade. It was a pleasure to share the faith with these eager young souls! Gallery

Each summer, the Church Music Association of America offers wonderful resources for those involved in Sacred Music. Several of the Sisters were able to participate in the Chant Intensive and the Ward Method Training offered by CMAA at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 
The same week, two of the novices spent a day at the Little Flower's Girls Camp. This is a delightful camp for Catholic girls who want to grow in their faith and have fun doing so. The theme this year was "Sailing with the Saints on the Ocean of Mercy." The Sisters spoke to the campers about the Message of Mercy and the Saints of Mercy, particularly St. Faustina and St. John Paul II. An extra blessing was the opportunity to have lunch with the camp staff and Fr. Pacheco. 

Early in July, we had the honor of hosting our annual barbecue with the help of our dear friends in Napa. We had a wonderful afternoon! Gallery

We are deeply grateful to our generous benefactors, especially as we move forward with acquiring our new convent home. May God reward you with every grace and blessing in this life and that to come!

In mid-July, the Sisters attended part of Youth on a Mission, a several day event for the youth leaders from the dioceses of Northern California. The sisters were invited to participate on a vocations panel to talk about how they heard God's call and to answer questions from the young people concerning vocations.

A group of young people from both ends of the Diocese of Santa Rosa traveled to Rome on pilgrimage in preparation for World Youth Day. The experience of being in the Eternal City and praying at the holy sites is impossible to describe, but the Sisters were particularly thrilled to pray for the community and the diocese at the Basilica of St. Peter. Gallery

After Rome, the group continued on to Krakow to participate in World Youth Day, which is a wonderful opportunity for young Catholics to experience the universal Church. The Sisters were able to go on pilgrimage to Wadowice, were St. John Paul II was born and baptized and Jasna Gora to pray before the image of Our Lady of Czestachowa, as well as attend several Pontifical High Masses. Gallery

​Several Sisters also presented  at the Ignite Your Torch Youth Conference in Lacey, Washington. IYT is a dynamic youth conference for high school age Catholics who wish to enter more deeply into their faith. It is unique in that for every 8-10 young people, there is at least one priest, brother or religious sister. Our sisters gave a presentation on Our Lady and one on the place of sacred music in the liturgy. Gallery

Religious life is never all 'work' - we also enjoyed a few outings, but all that is done, whether work or play, is done ...

... for the greater glory of God!